Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal is currently running in theatres.
Roja actor Madhoo was taken ‘by surprise’ after watching Ranbir Kapoor moonwalking to Roja BGM in Animal. She recalls texting Neetu Kapoor after the film.
The music album of Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal has become a raging success. The background score of the film along with the instrumental version of Chhoti Si Aasha and Roja Jaaneman that mark Ranbir’s musical entry have also gone viral on social media. Originally composed by music maestro AR Rahman, the latest version has been composed by a Hyderabad-based music band called Threeory.
And now it seems like the musical sequence featuring a Sanjay Dutt-esque Ranbir has found a new fan, and it’s none other than Roja (1992) star, Madhoo Shah! The actor, who featured both in Chhoti Si Aasha and Roja Jaaneman, exclusively speaks to Showsha and shares her excitement about how the music of her film remains relevant even after more than three decades.
She tells us, “I saw Animal immediately after it released and I didn’t even realise that it was my song for a few seconds when the sequence came about. I kept thinking in mind, ‘Something about the music seems very familiar.’ Then I realised that it was the music of Roja. The Roja Jaaneman bit they’ve used is the one where Arvind Swami and my character was dancing in the snow. I was so excited!”
In fact, Madhoo texted Ranbir’s mother Neetu Kapoor about the same after she left the theatre. “I went to watch the film along with my friends. And I can’t tell you how lovely the moment was. I’m in touch with Neetu ji. The first thing I wrote to her was ‘Neetu ji, I loved the film and Ranbir was just fabulous. And there’s Roja music in the film!’ It took me by surprise leaving me so pleased,” she says.
Happy that Animal brought the music of the Mani Ratnam directorial alive before the Gen-Z audience, Madhoo adds, “Even 31 years of Roja, its music has struck a chord with the audience, thanks to the latest rage that’s taken over our nation. Animal is the most talked about movie and I’m glad that the new generation got to enjoy this version.”
The Phool Aur Kaante (1991) and Thalaivi (2021) actor recalls how Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha’s Kushi that released earlier this year also featured a track from Roja. Talking about it, she shares, “In the first part of Kushi, Vijay’s character goes to Kashmir and he sings a song from Roja as he enjoys the beauty of the valley. He says that the only thing missing here is Madhubala. My manager from south including my entire team went crazy when they saw the film!”
Shah further continues, “They called me with so much excitement to let me know that my movie, my song and my name was mentioned in a new film starring a new actor. I feel totally blessed that a film of mine is remembered over decades and generations with equal respect, love and appreciation.”
Crediting Rahman for rendering an element of longevity to the album of Roja, she says, “It’s a privilege, honour and blessing that I’m a part of the Roja phenomenon. But the real creative genius is Rahman. What he created 30 years ago is still relevant. I feel an immense sense of gratitude. I don’t know if people will remember me but whenever there’s Roja music playing, I’m associated with it.”
